Sirach 37:1-15
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
False Friends
37 Every friend says, “I, too, am a friend,”
but some friends are friends only in name.(A)
2 Does not sorrow draw near to death
when a companion and friend[a] turns into an enemy?(B)
3 O inclination to evil, why were you formed
to cover the land with deceit?
4 Some companions rejoice in the happiness of friends,
but in time of trouble they are against them.(C)
5 Some companions help a friend for their stomachs’ sake,
yet in battle they will carry his shield.(D)
6 Do not forget friends during the battle,[b]
and do not be unmindful of them when you distribute your spoils.[c](E)
Caution in Taking Advice
7 All counselors praise the counsel they give,
but some give counsel in their own interest.
8 Be wary of counselors
and learn first what is their interest,
for they will take thought for themselves.
They may cast the lot against you(F)
9 and tell you, “Your way is good,”
and then stand aside to see what happens to you.
10 Do not consult the one who regards you with suspicion;
hide your intentions from those who are jealous of you.
11 Do not consult with a woman about her rival
or with a coward about war,
with a merchant about business
or with a buyer about selling,
with a miser about generosity[d]
or with the merciless about kindness,
with an idler about any work
or with a seasonal laborer about finishing the job,
with a lazy slave about a big task—
pay no attention to any advice they give.(G)
12 But associate with a godly person
whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments,
who is like-minded with yourself,
and who will grieve with you if you fail.(H)
13 And heed[e] the counsel of your own heart,
for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
14 For our own mind sometimes keeps us better informed
than seven sentinels sitting high on a watchtower.(I)
15 But above all pray to the Most High
that he may direct your way in truth.
Acts 24:1-23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul before Felix at Caesarea
24 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor.(A) 2 When Paul[a] had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Because of you, most excellent Felix, we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight. 3 In every way and everywhere we welcome this with utmost gratitude.(B) 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. 5 We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.[b](C) 6 He even tried to profane the temple, so we seized him.[c](D) 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.(E)
Paul’s Defense before Felix
10 When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied:
“I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this people.(F) 11 As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.(G) 12 They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city.(H) 13 Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me.(I) 14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets.(J) 15 I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of both[d] the righteous and the unrighteous.(K) 16 Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people.(L) 17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my people and to offer sacrifices.(M) 18 While I was doing this, they found me in the temple completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance.(N) 19 But there were some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me.(O) 20 Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council, 21 unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them, ‘It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ”(P)
22 But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.(Q)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 24.2 Gk he
- 24.5 Gk Nazoreans
- 24.6 Other ancient authorities add and we would have judged him according to our law.
But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come before you. - 24.15 Other ancient authorities read of the dead, both of
Sirach 38:1-14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Concerning Physicians and Health
38 Honor physicians for their services,
for the Lord created them,(A)
2 for their gift of healing comes from the Most High,
and they are rewarded by the king.
3 The skill of physicians makes them distinguished,
and in the presence of the great they are admired.
4 The Lord created medicines out of the earth,
and the sensible will not despise them.(B)
5 Was not water made sweet with a tree
in order that its[a] power might be known?(C)
6 And he gave skill to human beings
that he[b] might be glorified in his marvelous works.
7 By them the physician[c] heals and takes away pain;(D)
8 the pharmacist makes a mixture from them.
God’s[d] works will never be finished,
and from him health spreads over all the earth.
9 My child, when you are ill, do not delay,
but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.(E)
10 Give up your faults and direct your hands rightly,
and cleanse your heart from all sin.(F)
11 Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice and a memorial portion of choice flour,
and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford.[e](G)
12 Then give physicians their place, for the Lord created them;
do not let them leave you, for you need them.(H)
13 There may come a time when recovery lies in the hands of physicians,[f]
14 for they, too, pray to the Lord
that he grant them success in diagnosis[g]
and in healing, for the sake of preserving life.
Acts 24:24-25:12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul Held in Custody
24 Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.”(A) 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.
27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.(B)
Paul Appeals to the Emperor
25 Three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, 2 where the chief priests and the leaders of the Jews gave him a report against Paul. They appealed to him(C) 3 and requested, as a favor to them against Paul,[a] to have him transferred to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, planning an ambush to kill him along the way.(D) 4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly.(E) 5 “So,” he said, “let those of you who have the authority come down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them accuse him.”
6 After he had stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he arrived, the Jews who had gone down from Jerusalem surrounded him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove.(F) 8 Paul said in his defense, “I have in no way committed an offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against the emperor.”(G) 9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be tried there before me on these charges?”(H) 10 Paul said, “I am standing before the emperor’s tribunal; this is where I should be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you very well know. 11 Now if I am in the wrong and have committed something for which I deserve to die, I am not trying to escape death, but if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can turn me over to them. I appeal to the emperor.”(I) 12 Then Festus, after he had conferred with his council, replied, “You have appealed to the emperor; to the emperor you will go.”
Footnotes
- 25.3 Gk him
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.